OPTUS INTERNET LOOKS FORWARD TO CHANGING ISP MARKETPLACE

Cable & Wireless Optus today announced an exciting new Internet pricing structure with the potential to change the landscape of the Australian Internet Service Provision market.

The plan - "NetSaver" - has a competitive entry level of $10 which includes four hours of usage per month after which an hourly rate applies that reduces with usage. In addition a $70 comfort cap applies for up to 200 hours access per month.

Cable & Wireless Optus Director of Multimedia, Chris Weston said that the new pricing structure breaks the inflexibility of the majority of pricing plans currently available in the marketplace, and allows customers to spend as much or as little time as they like on the Internet.

"The Internet market has changed significantly over the past year. Customers are looking for simple packages and a pricing structure which offers them the flexibility to use the Internet without watching the clock. Cable & Wireless Optus' new plans are customer focused and we anticipate they will set a new benchmark in what customers expect from their ISP," said Mr Weston.

Optus Internet is also introducing a new plan with a pricing structure offering heavy Internet users 200 hours per month for $45.

These pricing structures add to Optus Internet's range of Pre-Paid and fixed pricing plans introduced when it was launched last year. These services also give Cable & Wireless Optus mobile, telephony or premium TV customers five bonus Internet hours each month.

In conjunction with the new pricing structure Optus Internet is offering Internet "tools" which can be used to tailor packages to suit the customer's Internet requirements. These new packages target Families and Small Businesses.

Both the Optus Internet Family and Small Business packages include five email addresses, a web page and the unique capability to personalise a home page.

The Small Business package offers access to accounting software through MYOB * one of the leading accounting software suppliers. Optus Internet's Family package supplies Net Nanny* - software which limits access to adult sites, and Encyclopedia Britannica - an educational and research information resource - for customers connecting before 30 June, 1999.

Optus Internet's entire range of pricing plans is available on its new Family and Small Business Internet packages.

Optus Internet today also announced a number of strategic business alliances which will provide services via Optus Internet. These include:

7 Solution 6 - the leading provider of business solutions to the accountancy profession.

7 Travel Industry Automated Systems - key provider of on-line reservation systems to the travel industry.

7 Unidial - distributor of Pre-Paid Internet products through 7 Eleven.

7 Apple and Compaq - plans to bundle Optus Internet with computer products.

"These alliances put Optus Internet in a strong position to offer the customer a truly unique service. Depending on how the customer decides to use the Internet, a web site can be personalised to meet their requirements by using these services," Mr Weston said.

Optus Internet will support the launch of its new packages with an extensive marketing communications campaign targeting existing Cable & Wireless Optus customers, small businesses and first time Internet users.

For more information:
Melissa Favero
Cable & Wireless Optus
Phone: 02 9342 5030
Email: melissa.favero@cwo.com.au

Stephen Woodhill
Cable & Wireless Optus
Phone: 02 9342 7850
Email: stephen_woodhill@yes.optus.com.au

*Notes to Editor: Net Nanny is not available for Macintosh.